Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

Show Overview

Beautiful: The Carole King Musical tells the story of Carole King’s journey from a young Brooklyn songwriter to an award-winning solo performer and music icon. With a stirring book by the late Oscar- and Tony-nominated Douglas McGrath and the music and lyrics of Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, this Tony- and Grammy Award-winning musical features classics such as “You've Got a Friend,” “One Fine Day,” “So Far Away,” “Take Good Care of My Baby,” “Up on the Roof,” “You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling,” “Will You Love Me Tomorrow,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

Creative Team

Director: Molly Cornwell
Music Director: David W. Coxe
Choreographer: Kenya Woods
Producer: Tom Jones

Audition Information

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Synopsis

Before she was a hit-maker, Carole King was Carole Klein, a spunky, young songwriter from Brooklyn with a unique voice. From the chart-topping hits she wrote for major acts like The Shirelles and The Drifters, to her life-changing success with her legendary 1971 album Tapestry, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical takes you back to where it all began — through her struggles and triumphs — and on the ride of a lifetime.

Character Descriptions

Age range: Ages 18 and up. All roles available and open to all! Since this is a musical about actual real people where gender, race, or physical ability play a key role, actors will be cast accordingly

• CAROLE KING (18+ to play ages 16-29) Caucasian: An aspiring singer/songwriter. A unique, appealing, funny and vulnerable girl from a Jewish family in Brooklyn. Talented, good natured, unassuming and often the peace maker in difficult situations. A reluctant star with no pretense and a passion for music. Seeking an exceptional actress with a powerful, distinctive voice. Piano skills preferred but not required.  
• GERRY GOFFIN (18+ to play late teens-late 20’s) Caucasian: Carole’s boyfriend, songwriting partner and eventual husband. He is smoldering, dark & handsome with a rebel vibe. Although sexy, he is innately sympathetic, wounded and tortured. An ambitious artist always striving for more. Seeking a strong actor who sings well. Baritone/tenor. 
• CYNTHIA WEIL (18+ to play late teens-late 20’s) Caucasian: A songwriter who becomes romantically involved with Barry. Carole’s best friend. She is sophisticated, smart & chic with a quick wit. Self-confident and sarcastic, she is also extremely likeable. Seeking an actress with strong comic timing who sings and can Belt. 
• BARRY MANN (18+ to play late teens-late 20’s) Caucasian: A songwriter who becomes romantically involved with Cynthia. He is good natured, appealing & neurotic. Ambitious, but likeable. Seeking a strong comedic actor with a great voice. Must be a strong high tenor comfortable with pop & rock style singing. 
• DON KIRSCHNER (30’s-40’s) Caucasian: An influential music publisher and producer. He is a fast talking, energetic force of nature. Powerful, direct & sometimes intimidating, but he has a real affinity for his writers and artists. A hit maker. Seeking a strong actor. Non singing role.
  
• GENIE KLEIN (40’s-50’s) Caucasian: Carole’s Jewish mother. Caucasian, Once an aspiring playwright, she has been broken down by life & her husband’s infidelity. Protective of Carole and unforgiving of her husband’s mistakes. Seeking a strong actress. Non singing role.  A multi talented ensemble member who will portray other characters. Dance skills are a plus. 
• LEAD DRIFTER: Member of the doo-wop group The Drifters. Gender: male. Vocal range top: Eb5. Vocal range bottom: B2
• BACK-UP DRIFTERS: Members of the doo-wop group The Drifters. Gender: male. Vocal range top: C5. Vocal range bottom: B2.
• LEAD SHIRELLE: Member of pop group The Shirelles. Gender: female. Vocal range top: Db5. Vocal range bottom: G3.
• BACK-UP SHIRELLES: Member of pop group The Shirelles. Gender: female. Vocal range top: D5. Vocal range bottom: G3
• LITTLE EVA: A pop singer. Gender: female. Vocal range top: E5. Vocal range bottom: Bb3
• NEIL SEDAKA/RIGHTEOUS BROTHER/ENSEMBLE (20’s-30’s) Caucasian, a singer songwriter. Tenor. 
• NICK/RIGHTEOUS BROTHER/ENSEMBLE - (20’s-30’s) Caucasian, a singer songwriter. 
• LOU ADLER/ENSEMBLE - (20’s-30’s) Caucasian, a record producer 
• BOBBY VEE/ENSEMBLE - (20’s) Caucasian, A singer 
• BETTY/ENSEMBLE (20’s) Carole’s childhood friend 
• MARILYN WALD/ENSEMBLE (20-s) a singer.  

Audition Preparation

Please bring:

• Your theatre resume (if any — a resume is not required)
• A headshot or other photo for the production team's reference
• Music: Present a memorized song that is in the style of the show. Please bring sheet music (32 bars) in the style of the show and in an appropriate key. An accompanist will be provided. Songs from Beautiful are acceptable.
• Dance: Dance will happen at callbacks — please dress for movement.

If you cannot attend the audition, video submissions are acceptable. Please email cvlt@cvlt.org. Submissions are due by September 29th, 2025 for the production team to review. If you submit a video we will provide you with a digital audition form.

Other Details & Contacts

If you have any additional questions please contact:

Director: Molly Cornwell — cornwellmolly49@gmail.com
Producer: Tom Jones — tjones@cvlt.org
General: cvlt@cvlt.org

We hope you join our joyous musical!!